About Us

For over 250 years the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) has been a cradle of enlightenment thinking and a force for social progress.  Our approach is multi-disciplinary, politically independent and combines cutting edge research and policy development with practical action. Find out more...

Current Work

  • Research and Projects

    Our projects are generating new models for tackling the social challenges of today. From our Academy in Tipton to our Prisons Learning Network we focus on combining thought and action.

  • Stimulating public discourse

    We provide one of the biggest free events programmes in the UK, enabling leading thinkers and new voices to share ideas on key contemporary issues.

  • Networking for social change

    Our 27,000 Fellows are developing networks to find innovative practical solutions to the most pressing social issues affecting our communities today.

History and Governance

  • Our History

    Our history includes many social and commercial innovations and there have been many Famous Fellows who have played a key role in our activities. Visit the Timeline to find out more.

  • Archive and research

    Our archive preserves a record of the RSA's history and achievements, dating back to 1754. It is open to the public and Fellows for research purposes.

  • Impact Report

    Our annual impact report provides a full record of our work and recent achievements, the impact these have had and an account of our current finances.